Christians are called to be great. But maybe you don’t think you’re one of the great ones. Maybe you do. Either way, this message is for you.
One of the most damaging, disastrous failings of the church in our age is that you and I, “ordinary Christians,” have not responded to God’s call to be great.
Christians Are Called To Be Great By Having An Impact
Christians are called to be great people of influence. Yes, that. Not just great devotion to Christ, but powerful, wide-reaching impact in his name.
No one doubts we should seek greatness of soul: the true depth of worshipful yieldedness to God, and love for Him and for our neighbors, that mark the truly mature follower of Christ. Greatness in that sense is foundational to what I am focusing on here, but it is not my topic in this message. There is another meaning of “greatness,” which has to do with how large one’s influence is upon their community and world. It’s the greatness of leadership, of impact.
This kind of greatness seems to scare us away. Though not all may be called to it, I believe more of us have been called than have responded. We are at risk of missing a great opportunity to change our world and experience the incredible thrill of seeing God do mighty things through us. The world is poorer for it, and we’re missing out on the joy we could be living.
Christians Are Called To Be Great Through Powerful Christian Leadership
Christians are called to be great leaders. Not long ago I heard Admiral Richard Denton, USN (Ret.), himself a leader of considerable impact, speaking about his release from prison in Vietnam in 1973 following more than 7 1/2 years as a POW. He spoke of how Christ gave him peace and serenity in cramped cells and conditions of torture. I was intrigued by his comments on re-entering the world following years of isolation. They showed the returning POWs a newsreel review of U.S. and world events; things he had missed since 1965. His abrupt exposure to the country’s moral decline upset him so greatly that after half an hour of viewing, he was sick enough to vomit.
That was thirty years ago. Who could deny that our world is in worse shape morally now than it was then? Who would not want to see Christ and His Kingdom really change our world–for many to commit their lives to Him, and for His imprint to be pressed anew on the cultural landscape? There are still billions who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. This will only happen if men and women of God—ones who are great in their soul—stand up and have a great impact.
The body of Christ needs both kinds of greatness, greatness of soul and greatness of impact. Greatness of impact certainly includes the idea of being a “great leader,” one whose influence is felt by thousands. Though not all of us are called to that role, still I wonder: Is it possible that God is calling us to be greater than we are? Are we missing opportunities to expand our influence for Christ’s glory?
Aversion to Greatness: Why?
It’s rare to hear a pastor urging us to dare to be great. We seem to have an aversion to the whole idea. I believe there are two major reasons for this. The first is a mistaken understanding about what the Bible teaches regarding greatness and humility.
Humility is certainly among the chief virtues. Jesus said he “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Shortly before his crucifixion, his disciples argued over who would be greatest in his kingdom, and Jesus rebuked them for it. In the Beatitudes he tells us it is the meek who will inherit the earth. Many who would be great have stumbled badly over their own pride.
Still, there is greatness throughout the Scriptures, evidenced by godly men and women who were willing to step forward and lead. Consider Moses, Joshua, the great kings of Israel and Judah, Esther, the powerful prophets, the apostles.
About:
Tom Gilson is senior editor and columnist with The Stream. He’s published over 700 articles and several books including his most recent, Too Good to Be False.
There are principles for parents that make parenting a little easier.
One of my favorite vacation memories is of Dieter Tasso stacking teacups on his head. The trick was that he threw each teacup and saucer from his foot to rest upon the previous teacup – on his head.
Some of you may feel like Tasso these days. You are trying to balance more than you ever thought possible. Sometimes navigating between parent and friend to your child is challenging, but now you are teacher and coach as well.
Piano lessons seemed like a great idea, but now you are not just tracking practice times, you’re helping with Zoom lessons and answering questions you were paying someone else to address.
Math? Forget it. Your version of subtraction no longer adds up, and don’t even get me started on geometry or calculus. We don’t want to let our kids in on the secret that many of them really won’t use this information later in life.
Some of you are craving a bit of social distancing within your own home. So, what are you to do? Unfortunately, there are no easy answers, no escape hatches.
The bottom line is that you embrace your role during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence your children in ways they may never forget. Keep these four principles in mind as you stay strong and lead the way.
When Considering Principles For Parents: This too shall pass
Last month I wrote that the sky isn’t falling – it just feels like it is. Help your children to gain and maintain perspective. This is an unprecedented event for those of us living through it, but humanity has survived innumerable unprecedented events and we will get through this as well. People are dying. Jobs are being lost. Investments are shrinking.
But the love of a family persists. Make sure your children see you modeling an appropriate response to these events.
This is a great season for perspective.
When Considering Principles For Parents: Your Child Having A Future Is Paramount, Even If That Future Is Different Than Planned.
It is sad to see the number of people who won’t have their planned weddings, graduations, or once-in-a-lifetime family gatherings. We have a friend whose Olympic dreams have been put on hold and he has no idea whether they will ever be realized.
Many of us are used to living near the top of Maslow’s hierarchy, focusing on self-actualization. Now we are joining much of the world that spends their lives attending to physical needs and safety. Your child’s future depends on being here for the future more than it depends upon that cherished event.
Help your children recognize that while we are suffering, we have simply entered the world in which many people live their daily lives. Teach them to turn from self-pity to serving others, and they will discover that everyone’s situation improves.
This is a great season for empathy.
When Considering Principles For Parents: You Are Teaching Far More Than Math Or Science These Days
Your children are watching. Study after study affirms the same truth. More than their peers, children care deeply about the values and affirmation afforded by their parents. They care what you think about the world, about faith, money, sex, relationships, communication, and family.
They do a great job of acting as though they are indifferent and many parents abdicate their influence because they believe this indifference is real, but these same parents should recognize that they still care what their parents thought and taught. We measure our lives against the lives and affirmation of our parents.
Don’t get lost in the weeds and miss the larger point that your children are watching how you handle a crisis and from that they are learning how they should live their lives.
This is a great season for modeling.
When Considering Parenting Principles: Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins.
My father was a minister and during his 50 years of serving families he saw it all. He reminds me that even when things got ugly, families have a remarkable way of healing because love covers a multitude of sins. You are tired and grouchy. Digging for bugs was fun for the first fifteen minutes, but your child persists in that pursuit for hours and wants your full attention.
Don’t despair. You are doing far more right than you currently recognize. You may lose your temper or say something you wish you could retract. Fine. Take a deep breath and reengage. As someone who has worked from home for more than 15 years, I know all about children interrupting work. When you are on that Zoom call and the dog barks or the kid screams, laugh.
It’s OK. People understand. Remember: You can never be everything your child needs and this season is no different. There will be gaps in your child’s experience during this pandemic, but they will catch up.
This is a great season for grace.
Hang in there. Your family is doing better than you realize. Just be thankful you don’t have to teach your kids how to stack teacups on their heads.
About:
Dr. Stephen Julian is President of Julian Consulting, a firm specializing in team health, effective communication, and leadership development. He has worked with leaders and their teams for nearly 30 years in a variety of settings – including Africa, South and Central America.
Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. In the midst of our country’s current unrest, an important fabric has been torn. Have you noticed?
It’s trust.
It’s trust that lets me drive on the right side of the road and expect oncoming drivers to do the same. And we smile and wave passing safely on our side of the road. At least I smile and wave. You might be texting.
Trust promotes order in a free, civilized society. And to remain, well, civilized. Otherwise, social order is at risk.
But perhaps, what’s really troubling us is a spiritual trust issue. One that penetrates deep within the human heart. And concerns spiritual questions of purpose, meaning and existence.
So, here are three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor.
Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. In What Are You Placing Your Spiritual Trust?
Beyond trusting me to stay on my side of the road. And perhaps refrain from texting while driving, what are you trusting? Money? A job? A political party? A skill-set? The government? A religion or philosophy?
As a Christ-follower, I trust an almighty God who has my best interest in mind. Because He is the only one who is completely, spiritually trustworthy.
Sure, there are things in this world that provide a level of security. But never completely. Since there are no guarantees. There is always some doubt. Did I do enough? Have enough? Check all the boxes?
Furthermore, scripture says God has a sovereign plan. And He’s moving us towards it. You might even sense the pace is quickening. The signs of something looming more visible. Maybe you’re even feeling a bit nervous and uncertain.
Scripture says no amount of good works will qualify me FOR God’s love and no amount of bad behavior will disqualify me FROM God’s love. That’s comforting because I’m pretty sure my bad outweighs the good. How about you? The good news is that God’s grace covers all who respond and accept it.
That’s a spiritual trust that leads to spiritual peace.
Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. How Proven Is The Source Of Your Spiritual Trust?
The Bible is absolute truth for Christ-followers. And you can’t get any more spiritually trustworthy than absolute.
It’s been scrutinized, analyzed and dissected more than any other document in the world. It’s historical accuracy is supported by archeology. It bats a thousand on hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. And withstood all claims of error for over 2,000 years.
From a human perspective, no other document is anywhere close in credibility, accuracy and reliability. Not one offers a higher level of spiritual trust.
How Reliable Is The Object Of Your Spiritual Trust?
My grandparents owned a farm with a pond. And we skated on it in the winter when cold temperatures froze it over. But you couldn’t tell how thick the ice was by looking at it. You had to test it.
And the level of trust you demonstrated didn’t matter.
You could march out confidently and fall through thin ice. Or inch out cautiously on thick ice that easily supported your weight. But what mattered was the trustworthiness of the ice. The object of your trust.
For Christ followers, that object is Jesus Christ. He claims to be the way, the truth and the life. The key to eternal life. The Son of God. But you can’t just believe in him. You have to spiritually trust him.
And when you do, it’s a game changer. One with an eternal impact.
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. The Bible is God’s word and therefore, His absolute truth. It doesn’t revise to reflect changes in cultural attitudes or personal moral preferences. But things work better when we conform to its teaching and here’s why it matters.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It reflects the real world.
Physical laws govern our universe. Like the north and south pole we use for navigation. Laws of physics, mathematics, and science for construction, developing technology, and formulating medicine. And of course, an atmosphere and gravity. Or we all would have already floated off into space…holding our breaths.
We depend on these laws for existence. And rely on them to manufacture things that improve our quality of life.
And there’s a moral reality too. We see it the moment someone cuts ahead of us in a waiting line and we object. “Hey, that’s not fair!” But wait. How do we instinctively and immediately know that? How do even young children know that when another child snatches a toy from them it’s wrong? Because we inherently know the same God who set physical laws also established moral laws based on absolute truth.
And obedience or disobedience to these laws also affects our quality of life. In short, as everyone willingly follows God’s moral laws, it produces a more peaceful, harmonious, and civil society.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It creates a uniform code of conduct.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (ESV, Psalm 119:160)
My truth. Your truth. Relative truth. Sounds good in ideological theory because it suits everyone’s personal taste. Besides, no one likes someone else telling them what to do. But it’s an impossible reality. How do you navigate billions of individual truths? However, absolute, Biblical truth provides common rules of expected behavior for everyone.
God doesn’t give us rules to oppress human desires, but guard rail them in order to promote human flourishing. Because taking my neighbor’s belongings–his property or wife–incites conflict and pain that extends beyond the two of us. However, assisting him with a home repair promotes goodwill that might return to me when I need help.
In addition, Biblical teachings on what is right, acceptable, and fair promote trust since God’s absolute truth is completely trustworthy. And they inform us when behavior goes out of bounds. Otherwise, we all make up our own rules, which means you can’t build trust or maintain order. Then what? You form alliances, build barricades, and buy guns.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It’s an exclusive path that sets you free.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV, John 14:6)
Isn’t this the most outrageous claim ever? Jesus says he is the EXCLUSIVE path to God and heaven.
Pretty arrogant when you think about it. Or crazy. Or cunningly deceitful. But worth thoughtfully considering. Because if his claim is true it has profound significance for the entire world.
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (ESV, John 8:32)
Wow. Not only is Jesus exclusive, he is the embodiment of truth itself. But sets us free from what?
And the answer is from sin. We are born into it. Immersed in it. And oppressed by it. But don’t even know it until freed from it.
To deny the existence of objective truth beyond human experience creates a dilemma. Without a transcendent God who establishes truth, you are forever trapped within your subjective experience. Unable to get outside of that subjectivity and objectively define truth. Therefore, freedom and hope are illusions. With no sense of stability. No foundation to stand on.
Because true freedom requires trusting in an absolute, transcendent God.
And in God’s divine providence, this freedom starts with belief. Through a step of faith. That embarks on a new, spiritual reality of following Jesus. One that is liberating and completely transforming.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. –Isaiah 26:3
The Bible’s path to peace in today’s pandemic is contrary to other worldviews. In the midst of so much turmoil, maybe you’re asking if any peace is possible. The Bible says “yes” and shows you the way.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Comes From God
The Bible is clear on where and how you find peace.
In Isaiah 26:3, the Hebrew word for peace is Shalom. It means peace with God. In other words, God is the source of peace. And you access that peace through a right relationship with Him.
Without God you must rely on yourself and government for peace. But finding peace within yourself is difficult when you’re surrounded by turmoil and insecurity. Violence in the streets. A contagious, potentially lethal disease. And government leaders who are uncertain or unwilling to maintain order.
But according to the Bible, a right relationship with God provides a sense of security unaffected by external circumstances. It settles your heart and promotes a sense of calm and well-being despite what is going on around you.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Has A Steadfast Mind
We often view steadfast as a resolute, individual will and determined spirit. Like pressing forward alone in the midst of a storm. Fueled by an inner strength.
But the Bible says you aren’t alone. And you’re not expected to gut it out by yourself. The Hebrew word for steadfast in this Bible verse means to lean on.
In other words, the person with a steadfast mind leans on God for strength. And gains peace from God. Because God wants to support you. Guide you through His word. Fill you with His presence. And He waits for you to ask.
Leaning on God acknowledges your human frailty. And in today’s culture is possibly your greatest act of humility and courage.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Trusts In God
The Hebrew word for trust in this Bible verse means to place your confidence in.
And that is earned over time as words and actions align. But a pattern God consistently demonstrates throughout the Bible.
Obviously, placing trust in God is a problem if you doubt His existence. But it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
Many people in the Bible expressed doubt. On one occasion, a man needed a miracle so bad he pleaded with Jesus to help his unbelief. So maybe the real test is not your level of doubt but desperation.
However, it does require a step of faith. A small one that leads to a big change. And puts you firmly on the Bible’s path to peace.
As the world re-opens from Coronavirus, re-engagement uncertainty among Christ-followers varies for different reasons. And while life following Coronavirus is unknown, Christ-followers can remain confident. Confident not careless.
Here are some thoughts to guide Christ-followers in re-engagement.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AS CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES
A Christ-follower’s confidence is built on certainty in an almighty God who has you and the world in His grip.
God is a person, not a thing. Close, not distant. If He seems far away, it’s because you moved, not Him. But He is always in reach and eager for your return. Your confidence increases through a growing relationship with Him by…
Following His son Jesus Christ
Praying and studying His Word—the Bible
Assembling with His people—the church
You’ll discover God’s purpose for you and His eternal plan for the world. And gain assurance and most importantly, hope.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES BY RENEWING YOUR MIND
Messages from this world—media reports, talk shows and stories on social media—regularly spew negative messages. They pollute the mind and invoke fear. And when God’s enemy controls your mind, he controls you.
So clear the clutter. Reboot your brain. As the Bible says, renew your mind and take your thoughts captive by purposefully directing your thought life. In other words, master your mind and so it doesn’t master you.
God’s Word is solid ground amid a tempestuous sea of ideas and opinions. A reliable message that fosters mental, emotional and psychological stability. Consume it regularly and your mind will fill with truth that is spiritually transforming and sets you free.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES AS YOU STAND ON HIS PROMISES
The Bible offers many promises that provide reassurance.
In fact, try this. Conduct an Internet search on God’s Promises in the Bible for a list of scripture passages. Then read one or two every morning. Reflect on it, claim it and ask God to apply it to your life.
Here’s one to start you off. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. —Jeremiah 29:11
Christ-followers should use good sense and take precautions as you re-engage from Coronavirus. But live with hope rather than fear. And share that hope with others.
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